SAILING / 1720 European Championship: An epic showdown for the Fáilte Ireland 1720 European Championship is on the cards this morning following an incident-filled penultimate day off Howth yesterday.
Light winds led to constant problems getting the fleet started in orderly fashion and there were 18 disqualifications in just two races.
Triple Laser world champion Glenn Bourke sailing Yachts and Yachting consolidated his challenge for the overall title having moved into second overall after Thursday's racing and yesterday moving to within three points of Hibernian.
World Match Racing champion Chris Law has a tough battle ahead of him today as he was one of those caught out by the black flag instant disqualification rule in the second race of the day yesterday.
Having previously been back in the hunt for the top place, he lies fifth overall this morning and can still aim for a podium finish.
Continuing problems with the conditions resulted in the third race of the day being abandoned yesterday when the breeze died to less than five knots after a series of postponements and restarts.
Among the "club-level" Irish crews, former Royal Cork YC Admiral Anthony O'Leary on Ford Racing was scoring well, as was defending European champion Des Faherty on Aquatack with Mel Collins helming.
Many of the leading boats in the series are normally crewed by all-amateur sailors but some boats have brought in leading international professional sailors such as Law and Powell.
FÁILTE IRELAND 1720 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP: Overall after eight races (one discard): 1 Hibernian (Ire - Lennon & Cagney); 2 Yachts and Yachting (Bri G Bourke); 3 Splash Test Dummies (Bri - A & J McLelland); 4 Aquatack (Ire - D Faherty); 5 Peugeot (Ire - T & J Murphy) Results provisional - subject to protests.
